Elevator



Dec. 13, 1932.,

r a. D. CLUTE' ELEVATOR Filed April 1., 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 13, 1932.

H. D. CLUTE ELEVATOR Filed April 1, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 13, 1932 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE ELEVATOR Application filed A ril 1, 1932. Serial No. 602,566.

My invention relates generally to elevators, and particularly to elevators for handling seed, grain, and the like. 7

It is an important object of my invention to provide an elevator which is so constructed that the seed, grain, and the like is positively prevented from lodging in any part thereof and resulting in a mixture with or a contamination of following runs of seed, grain and the like, whereby it is possible to utilize my elevator for succeeding runs of different kinds of seed, grain and the like without danger of mixing them.

It is also an important object of my invention to provide an elevator having the described advantages which is exceptionally easy to clean, and which in operation, automatically cleans itself.

It is also an important object of my invention to provide an elevator of this type which has a large capacity, but which nevertheless takes up very little room and can be placed in variety of positions and places as desired, in a mill or other place; and which can be adjusted in a variety of relationships to the associated mill or the like, so as to assist and facilitate efficient bagging operations.

It is also an important object of my invention to provide a construction in an elevator of this type whereby materials such as peas and beans may be elevated with less breakage than is possible with the bucket type of elevator.

\ These and other objects and advantages of my invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of the drawings in which for illustrative purposes I have shown a preferred embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a vertical transverse sectional view of the embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is an enlarged perspective view of the mouthpiece of the elevating tube.

Figure 3 is a top plan View of the embodiment.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the embodiment showing the head of the elevator tube and a door removed therefrom.

Figure 5 is a detailed vertical transverse sectional view through Figure 3 approximately on the line 5-5.

Figure 6 is a horizontal sectional'view taken approximately on the line. 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring in detail to the drawings, wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout the same, the numeral 5 generally designates an associated mill with which is connected the flat fan-shaped mouth piece 6 formedon the lower end of the elevating tube or spout 7 which is vertically disposed and carries on its upper end a lateral flange 8.

A gradually enlarged head generally designated 9' has extending upwardly and laterally from the tube 7 acurved portion 10 of gradually increasing generally circular cross section which is drawn outwardly and further expanded into a square portion 11 which is downwardly turned so as to have a'completely and symmetrically curved upper wall. The downwardly directed opening of the squared portion 11 is passed through a squared opening 12 in the top of the bin generally designated 18. The head 9 has surrounding the opening 14 of the portion 11 a lateral exterior flange 15 which as seen in the drawings engages the underside of the top of the bin surrounding the opening 12 therein, and is secured in this position by means of bolts or the like 16. The lower end of the small round portion 10 of the head is provided with a lateral flange 10a for connection to the flange 8 of the upper end of the elevator tube 7 with which it is connected by means of bolts or the like 17. The squared opening 12 in the top of the bin 18- and the large end of the head 9 are provided symmetrically squared, in order that'thehead 9 may be moved so as to extend in any of a plurality of positionswith respect to the bin. Changing of the position of the head 9 is accomplished by dropping it into the bin until the small part thereof is in the opening12 in the top of the bin, whereupon the head may be rotated into the desired position and then raised again and bolted in the desired position.

The bin 13 is of generally rectangular formation and has aninverted pyramidical bottom portion 18 which converges into a casting or the like 19 incorporating a ball valve structure generally designated by the numeral 20. The casting 19 has an exterior lateral flange 21 and an interior chamber 22 which has a restricted opening in its upper end as indicated at 23 whereby to form a seat for a ball 24 confined within the chamber 22. The lower end of the chamber is traversed by downwardly concaved cross wires 25 which retain the ball within the chamber and center it. The purpose of the ball valve will be described below.

One side or end portion of the top 26 of the bin 13 is provided with an opening closed by a door 27 the construction of which is shown in detailin Figure 5. The door 27 comprises a plate having at its inward end a short vertical flange 28 and at its outward end a channel formation 29 which is defined by a downward flange and an inwardly formed flange 30 on the end thereof. The channel formation 29 receives a flange 31 on the corresponding end of the door opening in the top of the bin, while'the flange 28 is received together with a flange 33 onthe adjacent end of the door opening in a channel keeper 32 which is removable or may be made connectedto' the flange 83. It will be obvious that this formation permits the door 27 to be slid transversely of the bin into and out of closing relation with the opening 34 in the top of the bin. For preventing shifting of the door after it has been closed, pins 35 and 38 are passed through the flange 31 and the r cooperating channel formation 29 at one side of the door and through the flanges 33. and 28 I and the channel-keeper 32 at the other side of the door.

A suction outlet in the form of a short projecting pipe 36 is provided at the door equipped side of the bin 13 and to this is mounted a siro cco type exhaust fan of good capacity for creating suction which operates from the mouth piece 6 to draw thegrain and the like from the mill 5 into the bin 13 P through the head 9. From the head 9 the seed, grain and the like drops into a dead-air space obtaining therebelow, only light dust and the like being carried to the-outlet 36.

' The SlIOCCO fan is generally indicated at 37 in dotted lines, and may be of conventional form.

Depending from the valve structure 19 and secured thereto bymeans of a flange 40 bolted to the flange 21 as at 41 is the bagging or draw-off spout 39-which is of vertically elongated squared formation. This is provided with a lateral flange formation 42 at its lower end for securing a bag 43 thereto in any desirable manner. A short distance above the flange 42 is a slide valve or gate 44 for cutting off the flow of the seed, grain or the like when the desired amount thereof has been discharged into the bag 43'. Instead of the valve or gate 44 there may be provided a weighted swinging gate constructed and formed according to the type of material being elevated and the pressures used, whereby the required head of material will be maintained in the draw-off spout to prevent leakage of air into the bin. In this way the deadair space into which the grain or the like drops is maintained in the bin, whereby fracture of the grain or the like which would otherwise occur from the grain or the like forcibly striking against the sides of the bin is reduced and avoided by the cushion effect of the dead-air space.

The valve or gate 44 should be so operated that some seed, grain and the like will remain thereabove'to seal the draw-0E against the entry of air and preserve the dead-air space. However, should this precaution have failed, the suction within the bin will cause the lifting of the light ball 24 in the ball valve structure 19 to seat in the opening 23 and in this way close off the bagging spout to enable proper operation of the device for elevating a sufficient quantity of the seed, grain and the like into the bin and into the draw-out spout.

It will be observed that no sharp curves or angles are. provided in the path of travel of the seed, grain and the like which are more than 45 degrees in angularity. It will be observed that all surfaces are self-cleaning, that is, the seed, grain, or the like cannot lodge thereon, but will gravitationally slide therefrom. The head 9 is bolted with its flange under the top of the bin so that no lodgment of the material being elevated. can take place 100 at this juncture, as otherwise would be possible were the joint made with the flange thereof against the upper surface of the top 26 of the bin 13. A consistent arrangement is fol lowed in the provision of the door 27. The 1 ball 24 is carried centrally in the chamber 22 so as not to obstruct the passage of materials throughthe valve casting 19, the wires likewise being arranged so as not to obstruct the assage.

Though I have shown and described herein the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be definitely understood that I do not desire to limit the application of my invention thereto, but any change or changes may 11 be made in material and structure and arrangement of parts, consistent with the spirit of the invention and the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is 1. An elevator of the type described comprising a casing of inverted pyramidical form having a depending valved discharge means, a vertical elevator tube having its lower end disposed for taking up material to be eleextension on the upper part of the casing to which is adapted to be connected suction blower means, a lateral flange on the large end of the elbow adapted to engage and be secured to the inside of the top of the easing around the opening, and detachable securing means therefor, the large end of the elbow and the opening being squared so that the detachable means may be loosened and the large end of the elbow pushed into the casing until a smaller portion of the elbow is within the opening, whereupon the elbow may be turned and then secured in a position different from that at first occupied.

2. An elevator of the type described comprising a casing of inverted pyramidal form having a depending valved discharge means, a vertical elevator tube having its lower end disposed for taking up material to be elevated, a gradually enlarged elbow head on the upper end of the tube having its small end connected to the tube and its large end passed through an opening in the top of the casing and secured therein, a lateral tubular extension on the upper part of the casing to which is adapted to be connected suction blower means, a lateral flange on the large end of the elbow adapted to engage and be secured to the inside of the top of the easing around the opening, and detachable securing means therefor, the large end of the elbow and the opening beingvsquared so that the detachable means may be loosened and the large end of the elbow pushed into the casing until a smaller portion of the elbow is within the opening, whereupon the elbow may be turned and then secured in a position different from that at first occupied, said depending valved discharge means comprising normally open ball check means being adapted to be operated closed by suction in the bin for cutting oil communication with the eXterior.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARVEY D. CLUTE. 

